- Date
- May 22, 1987, 10:58 local (17:58 UTC)
- Place
- Tehachapi, CA
- Injuries
- 4 fatal
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N2520XCessna P206USAFNorthrop T-38A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 28, 1989
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19870522015472A
- Case key
- 25403
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
An USAF T-38 aircraft and a Cessna 206 aircraft collided in mid-air during visual flight operations in a military operations area. Radar data revealed that the overtaking T-38 collided with the Cessna 206 from the right. The Cessna was on a local government contract terrain photo mission and had almost completed a left 360 degree turn. The T-38 was transiting the moa in connection with a military mission. Both aircraft were operating under VFR and were not in contactwith the moa controllers. Neither pilot was required to establish or maintain positive radio or radar contact with the air traffic control facility responsible for the area. However, the airman's information manual states 'pilots operatingunder VFR should exercise extreme caution while flying within a moa... Prior to entering an active moa, pilots should contact the controlling agency for traffic advisories.' Radar and radio assistance was available to either pilot. The T-38 was using a transponder with mode c readout. The collision occurred at about 8,700 feet MSL.
Aircraft · 2
- Registration
- N2520X
- Reported as
- Cessna P206
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 0020
- Airframe hours
- 6,380
- Engine
- Continental IO-520-A5, 285 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Operator
- Pacific Aerographics
- Registered owner
- Pacific Aerographics
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · February 4, 1987 · 252 hours before
- Departed
- SNA · Santa Ana, CA
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
- Registration
- USAF
- Reported as
- Northrop T-38A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 62-3639
- Airframe hours
- 9,512
- Engine
- GE J-85-5H, 2,900 lbs thrust, turbo jet
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Armed forces
- Operator
- Usaf, doing business as 6510 Test Wing
- Registered owner
- U.S. Air Force
- Departed
- EDW · Edwards Afb, CA
- Flight plan
- Military VFR
Flight crew · 2
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot, aircraft N2520X
- Age
- 51
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 4,071 total · 1,515 in this make and model · 4,000 as pilot in command · 50 in the last 90 days
- Role
- Pilot, aircraft 2
- Age
- 32
- Certificates
- Commercial, Military
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Front
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 2,246 total · 170 in this make and model · 2,074 as pilot in command · 66 in the last 90 days · 20 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 70 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- WJF, 23 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.